Insects & Mites

Grain is a good source of food for people but it is also attractive to insects and mites.  Many years of research and investment in storage facilities mean that storage is now well controlled and such infestation is rare.  The HGCA’s grain storage guide provides an excellent summary of advice to minimise the risks for stored grain.

Although crops can be subject to insect attack whilst growing, pests associated with growing crops are different to those associated with stored grain.  Therefore if stores are cleaned at the start of each season (as required by assurance schemes) and grain is dried to a moisture content of 14% or less and cooled the risk of insect or mite infestation is minimised and the need for pesticide eliminated.  It is now rare for UK grain to be treated with pesticides after harvest.